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Broncos fire offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, 2 more assistant coaches
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- Broncos fire offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, 2 more assistant coaches
Not even an appearance in a conference championship game will prevent an NFL team from shaking up its coaching staff this offseason.
The Denver Broncos on Jan. 27 fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, the team announced. Wide receivers coach Keary Colbert and cornerbacks coach Addison Lynch were also let go.
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"I want to thank these coaches for playing an important role in elevating our program over the last three seasons," Broncos coach Sean Payton said in a release. "I've been fortunate to work with Joe Lombardi for 15 years and am particularly grateful for his many contributions to our success as offensive coordinator."
The move comes just two days after the Broncos fell to the New England Patriots in a 10-7 loss in the AFC championship game. With backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham filling in for injured starter Bo Nix , Denver notched just 181 total yards and 11 first downs as heavy snow and winds stymied both teams in the second half.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) walks off the field at the end of the first half of his team's Super Bowl 59 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at the Caesars Superdome on Feb. 9, 2025.
Confetti falls as Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce walks off the field after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs, 38-35, during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on Feb 12, 2023.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow reacts after losing Super Bowl LVI against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Feb 13, 2022.
(Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce walks off the field after losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on Feb 7, 2021.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) and safety Tarvarius Moore (33) walk off the field after losing Super Bowl LIV to the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium on Feb 2, 2020.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay reacts during his team's 13-3 loss in Super Bowl LIII against the New England Patriots at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Feb 3, 2019.
(Jason Getz, USA TODAY Sports)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts on the field during his team's 41-33 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on Feb 4, 2018.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan leaves the field after being defeated by the New England Patriots 34-28 in overtime in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium on Feb 5, 2017.
(Eric Seals, USA TODAY Sports)
Confetti falls as Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) walks off the field after his team lost 24-10 against the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium on Feb 7, 2016.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and wide receiver Chris Matthews (13) react on the sidelines at the end of a 28-24 loss against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on Feb 1, 2015.
(Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports)
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning walks off the field following a 43-8 loss against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium on Feb 2, 2014.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
San Francisco 49ers guard Alex Boone (75) reacts after losing Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Feb 3, 2013.
(Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY Sports)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts during his team's 21-17 loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb 5, 2012.
(Matthew Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning reacts during his team's 31-17 loss in Super Bowl XLIV against the New Orleans Saints at Sun Life Stadium on Feb 7, 2010.
(Mark J. Rebilas, US PRESSWIRE)
New England Patriots linebacker Junior Seau walks off the field as confetti is released after losing to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Feb 3, 2008.
(Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)
St. Louis Rams receiver Isaac Bruce (80) reacts after losing to the New England Patriots, 20-17, in Super Bowl XXXVI at the Louisiana Superdome on Feb 3, 2002.
(US PRESSWIRE)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George sits dejectedly as confetti rains down from the Georgia Dome rafters as the St. Louis Rams celebrate their 23-16 victory in Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 2000.
(Eric Parsons, The Tennessean)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Chris Chandler reacts on the field during his team's 34-19 loss against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII at Dolphin Stadium on Jan 31, 1999.
(RVR Photos, USA TODAY Sports)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Parcells reacts on the sideline during his team's 35-21 loss against the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXI at the Superdome on Jan 26, 1997.
(US PRESSWIRE)
Denver Broncos linebacker Simon Fletcher (73) reacts on the bench during his team's 55-10 loss against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIV at the Superdome on Jan 28, 1990.
(Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway reacts during his team's 42-10 loss against the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXII at Jack Murphy Stadium on Jan 31, 1988.
(Bob Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jackie Smith reacts after he drops a pass in the end zone during the third quarter of his team's 35-31 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIII at the Orange Bowl on Jan 21, 1979.
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
Washington Redskins quarterback Billy Kilmer reacts during his team's 14-7 loss in Super Bowl VII to the Miami Dolphins at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Jan 14, 1973.
(Tony Tomsic, USA TODAY Sports)
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Bob Lilly (74) throws his helmet as the Baltimore Colts celebrate after kick Jim O'Brien made the game-winning field goal in Super Bowl V at the Orange Bowl on Jan 17, 1971.
(Manny Rubio, US PRESSWIRE)
Baltimore Colts quarterback Earl Morrall reacts during his team's 16-7 loss against the New York Jets in Super Bowl III at the Orange Bowl on Jan 12, 1969.
(Darryl Norenberg, US PRESSWIRE)
1
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) walks off the field at the end of the first half of his team's Super Bowl 59 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at the Caesars Superdome on Feb. 9, 2025.
1
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) walks off the field at the end of the first half of his team's Super Bowl 59 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at the Caesars Superdome on Feb. 9, 2025.
2
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
Confetti falls as Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce walks off the field after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs, 38-35, during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on Feb 12, 2023.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
3
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow reacts after losing Super Bowl LVI against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Feb 13, 2022.
(Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)
4
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce walks off the field after losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on Feb 7, 2021.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
5
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) and safety Tarvarius Moore (33) walk off the field after losing Super Bowl LIV to the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium on Feb 2, 2020.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
6
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay reacts during his team's 13-3 loss in Super Bowl LIII against the New England Patriots at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Feb 3, 2019.
(Jason Getz, USA TODAY Sports)
7
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts on the field during his team's 41-33 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on Feb 4, 2018.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
8
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan leaves the field after being defeated by the New England Patriots 34-28 in overtime in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium on Feb 5, 2017.
(Eric Seals, USA TODAY Sports)
9
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
Confetti falls as Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) walks off the field after his team lost 24-10 against the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium on Feb 7, 2016.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
10
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and wide receiver Chris Matthews (13) react on the sidelines at the end of a 28-24 loss against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on Feb 1, 2015.
(Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports)
11
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning walks off the field following a 43-8 loss against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium on Feb 2, 2014.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
12
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
San Francisco 49ers guard Alex Boone (75) reacts after losing Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Feb 3, 2013.
(Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY Sports)
13
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts during his team's 21-17 loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb 5, 2012.
(Matthew Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
14
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning reacts during his team's 31-17 loss in Super Bowl XLIV against the New Orleans Saints at Sun Life Stadium on Feb 7, 2010.
(Mark J. Rebilas, US PRESSWIRE)
15
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
New England Patriots linebacker Junior Seau walks off the field as confetti is released after losing to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Feb 3, 2008.
(Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)
16
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
St. Louis Rams receiver Isaac Bruce (80) reacts after losing to the New England Patriots, 20-17, in Super Bowl XXXVI at the Louisiana Superdome on Feb 3, 2002.
(US PRESSWIRE)
17
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George sits dejectedly as confetti rains down from the Georgia Dome rafters as the St. Louis Rams celebrate their 23-16 victory in Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 2000.
(Eric Parsons, The Tennessean)
18
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Chris Chandler reacts on the field during his team's 34-19 loss against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII at Dolphin Stadium on Jan 31, 1999.
(RVR Photos, USA TODAY Sports)
19
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
New England Patriots head coach Bill Parcells reacts on the sideline during his team's 35-21 loss against the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXI at the Superdome on Jan 26, 1997.
(US PRESSWIRE)
20
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
Denver Broncos linebacker Simon Fletcher (73) reacts on the bench during his team's 55-10 loss against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIV at the Superdome on Jan 28, 1990.
(Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
21
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway reacts during his team's 42-10 loss against the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXII at Jack Murphy Stadium on Jan 31, 1988.
(Bob Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
22
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jackie Smith reacts after he drops a pass in the end zone during the third quarter of his team's 35-31 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIII at the Orange Bowl on Jan 21, 1979.
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
23
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
Washington Redskins quarterback Billy Kilmer reacts during his team's 14-7 loss in Super Bowl VII to the Miami Dolphins at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Jan 14, 1973.
(Tony Tomsic, USA TODAY Sports)
24
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Bob Lilly (74) throws his helmet as the Baltimore Colts celebrate after kick Jim O'Brien made the game-winning field goal in Super Bowl V at the Orange Bowl on Jan 17, 1971.
(Manny Rubio, US PRESSWIRE)
25
/25
See Super Bowl sadness when the Lombardi Trophy slipped away
Baltimore Colts quarterback Earl Morrall reacts during his team's 16-7 loss against the New York Jets in Super Bowl III at the Orange Bowl on Jan 12, 1969.
(Darryl Norenberg, US PRESSWIRE)
The Broncos again hovered around the middle of the pack in several offensive categories in Payton's third year at the helm, finishing 10th in total yards and 14th in scoring.
Lombardi, 54, had long been one of Payton's trusted assistants. He was the New Orleans Saints ' quarterbacks coach from 2016-20 under Payton before rejoining him in Denver.
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The move comes as Broncos passing game coordinator Davis Webb remains a leading candidate for the Las Vegas Raiders' coaching job .
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joe Lombardi fired by Broncos as Sean Payton shakes up coaching staff
